But FIFA's referees chief, Jim Boyce has come to the defence of the official, declaring it an "absolute nonsense" for Pellegrini to suggest that UEFA should not have chosen a referee from Sweden for such an important Champions League match as Tuesday's last-16 fixture.

Eriksson, 39, sent off City defender Martin Demichelis and handed Barcelona a penalty and Pellegrini also questioned the Swedish officials appointment - saying he was "on Barcelona's side from beginning to end", and trying to make up for a previous mistake against the Catalan side.

Boyce, a FIFA vice-president from Northern Ireland and chairman of FIFA's referees committee, said: "It is absolute nonsense to say a referee should not be chosen for an important match because he comes from a smaller country.

"If the referee has proved himself at the top level it should not matter what country they come from.

"All the referees who have been chosen for the World Cup have been assessed by experienced officials who have been involved at FIFA and UEFA level and marked on their performances in the World Cup and confederation competitions at a high level."

And Boyce has handed his full backing to Eriksson - who will head to the World Cup this summer - stating that he believes, all-in-all, Eriksson had a good game at the Etihad Stadium.